The New York Rangers and their young restricted free agent defenseman agreed on a two-year deal worth a reported $2.55 million annually early Sunday, which prevented Del Zotto from missing the start of training camp.

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers had last offered Del Zotto a two-year deal worth a bit more than $2.4 million a season. Del Zotto reportedly wanted $3 million a season.

"Michael has until (Sunday) morning to figure this out, and I sure hope he does so he doesn’t have to miss any time," GM Glen Sather told the Post on Saturday. "We’ve made Michael a very good and very fair offer.

"Sitting out is not going to help him in any way."

That's in line with what Sather said at a pre-lockout charity function in September.

"He'll come to his senses," Sather said. "We've been down this road before with guys that just have come out of their entry-level contracts."

Del Zotto took a step forward in 2011-12 by cutting back on the mental errors that marked his first two seasons. He had 10 goals and 41 assists after finishing 2010-11 in the AHL and solidified his status among the Rangers' core of young defenseman.

Next up for agent Don Meehan, assuming Del Zotto's deal is completed: PK Subban, who wasn't with the Montreal Canadiens for the start of camp. Subban will likely get more money and more years than Del Zotto.

Other RFAs who were on track to miss the start of camp: Jamie Been (Dallas Stars), Dmitriy Kulikov (Florida Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (Colorado Avalanche).